Salamander capital of the world

A salamander is a small newt-like amphibian that has smooth moist skin. They are most easily found under rocks, logs, or near wet areas and mountain seeps. In the Great Smokies the 5 families of salamanders establish in the park are Cryptobranchidae, Proteidae, Salamandridae, Ambystomatidae, and
Plethodontidae.

The most common species of salamanders in the park is the lungless salamander. Lungless, because they breathe out of blood vessels in their skin and also the lining of their throats.

The biggest species of salamanders ever discovered in the Hellbender which can get up to a foot long. Hellbenders sspend most of their period in water, and have very slippery aerodynamic bodies. 90% of their diet consists of crayfish, and they can live up to 30 years in captivity.

The Red-Cheeked Salamander, also known as, the Jordan Salamander is a species that is only set up in the Great Smokies. They are medium sized, and has orangish patches on it's side. It is used a to a very specific kind of climate: 3000 foot elevation, and cool humid air. Since this species is unique to the area there is lots of monitoring and research done on the

The red-cheeked salamander is a cute special animal—they breathe through their skin and they don’t inhabit anywhere else in the planet except in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. How will climate change affect these unique animals?

MP3 Audio Version

Transcript

Title: Climate Change and the Red-cheeked Salamander

Ranger Joy: Welcome to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, spanning the North Carolina and Tennessee state lines, it is known as the salamander capital of the world!

Hi I’m ranger Joy and I’ll be introducing you to a researcher studying climate change on one of our 30 unlike species of salamanders.

Here at the park we invite researchers to come study different aspects of the park especially the effects of climate change, so that we can make better organization decisions and provide better facts for you the visitor.

One question we have is will salamanders be able to customize to a climate that might be warmer and drier?

I’ll enable Amy introduce herself and reveal you more about her study here

Amy Luxbacher: My name is Amy Luxbacher, I’m a graduate student from the University of Minnesota and I’m here in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to study salamand

Hurricane Helene Battered the ‘Salamander Capital of the World’ With Floods and Landslides. Will the Beloved Amphibians Survive the Aftermath?

The storm decimated a region rich with dozens of species already struggling with habitat loss and disease

When Hurricane Helene hit Valle Crucis in North Carolina, the creek across the Watauga River was already overflowing from 11 inches of rain, according to local resident Jessica Valky-Bryant. The swollen creek then went over its banks, flooding and destroying Valky-Bryant’s private road. Trees and mud puddles were everywhere.

“In the 14 years we have lived at our current house, we had never seen the creek meet the river the way it had,” Valky-Bryant says.

As she walked along the road, surveying the damage, her oldest daughter, Tëghan Bryant, 14, came running over with cupped hands. “I found a new salamander! And it’s spicy!”

Sometimes, among the rocks in their flower garden or the banks of the creek, Valky-Bryant and her daughters found blue-spotted salamanders or orange eastern newts, but this one was different. It had gills and was a dark greenish brown with a splotchy pattern on its back.

On the second day of rai

Are you looking to visit some popular tourist attractions during your stay with us? If so, you should come and travel the Great Smoky Mountains because there is so much amusement to be had. The most beloved activities include hikes and scenic drives. Before your first visit, get to know the area a little bit improved with this list of 4 fun facts about the Amazing Smoky Mountains:

1. They Are Some of the Oldest Mountains in the World

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was founded in June 1934. Even so, the iconic landmark itself is a lot older. In fact, the Great Smoky Mountains are believed to be between 200 and 300 million years old, making them some of the oldest mountains in the world! A mountain’s age is determined by looking at the weathering of the rocks and examining particles from the soil as well as the trees. The oldest tree in the Smokies is a 562-year-old blackgum tree. The Smoky Mountains may be old, but you won’t be able to say as you look out at the picturesque views. This is because the natural beauty has withstood the test of time.

2. There Are More Than 90 Preserved Historical Structures

Before becoming the popular tourist destination that it is t

5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Smoky Mountains

You may know a lot about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but there are plenty of things we bet you didn’t know! We want to share some hip, obscure facts you may hold never heard about the national park! Check out these 5 things you probably didn’t realize about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

1. Unofficial Salamander Capital of the World

The Smokies are known as the unofficial salamander capital of the world! More species of salamanders live in the national park than anywhere else. On any day of the year, there are more salamanders in the park than people! Over 30 species of salamanders live in the Amazing Smoky Mountains National Park. Some of the ones you could see include spotted, Eastern hellbender, and mudpuppy. You’re likely to find these creates in and around streams, under leaves, and under rocks.

2. Flowers Helped It Become a National Park

Before the national park was established, the US government wanted a national park somewhere in the southeast since there were so many in the west. A national committee scouted locations across the east to see where a nationa